Don’t have $100 laying around for a facial? Join the club. No worries, a recessionistas best friend is at-home spa treatments which are sometimes even more relaxing than shlepping to the spa and hearing the women gossip in Russian.
How, you ask? Easy.
- Turn down the lights. Light scented candles. Turn on music that relaxes you. If that’s Metallica, good for you. If that’s Yanni… jump out the window. Turn off ALL electronic equipment. This is your time, darling face.
- Either using a portable facial steamer OR a pot full of boiling water, steam your face with a towel over your head for 5-10 minutes.
- Exfoliate: Mix 1/2 cup dry oatmeal, 3 tablespoons almond oil, 1 tablespoon finely ground sea salt (or cornmeal for more sensitive skin) and 1/4 teaspoon fresh mint with enough warm water to form a paste. Rub on face in circular motion gently, then rinse. OR Mix three tablespoons olive oil and one tablespoon of kosher salt. Apply. Always avoid eye area when exfoliating.
- Put on a mask. You can make your own with our recipes below, or ask for samples at your favorite beauty store to save cash (samples are a broke bitches BFF.) Apply mask. Lay on your bed for 20 minutes, or (better yet) in the tub. Rinse. Ogle your gorgeous, glowing self.
MASK RECIPES:
For Bride Glow
This is a traditional Indian mask used for a bride, seven days in advance of marriage.
Mix a half a cup of besan (gram flour), 2 teaspoons of turmeric powder, 2 teaspoons of sandal wood powder, 2 teaspoons of almond oil, add some water to make a paste.
For Dry Skin
Mix an avocado, 2 tablespoons of grapeseed oil with a cup of agave. Blend and apply.
For Oily Faces
Grab equal parts tomato juice, cucumber juice and lemon juice; add a tablespoon of calamine powder or gram flour to mixture. Combine and pop that sucker on.
Combo Skin
Mix 11/2 teaspoon of green clay (French is preferred), 1/2 teaspoon of kaolin clay, 11/2 tablespoon aloe vera gel, 1 tablespoon rosewater, and (last, but not least) 2 drops rose essential oil. Mix and apply. You can refridgerate and save this one to use anytime!
Quick Fix
Mix rolled oats or instant oatmeal with a couple tablespoons of any oil you have around (olive, grapeseed, avocado, hazlenut… whatevers clever). Apply.